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'''Defending Democracy in Exile''', report by Freedom House
== Videos ==
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FkPCec7jG5I Digital Transnational Repression Explained], by Citizen Lab
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8YcHajYQLSw Digital Transnational Repression Explained: Activists], by Citizen Lab
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N72UV-aD9r4 Gender-based Digital Transnational Repression Explained], by Citizen Lab
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D4EjMq5FK4 Responding to Transnational Repression] - recorded panel discussion from Dec 2021
* [https://www.orionpolicy.org/orionforum/111/transnational-repression-the-long-arm-of-authoritarianism Transnational Repression: The Long Arm of Authoritarianism] (parts 1 and 2) - recorded panel discussion from Sept/Oct 2022.
* [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86Q_9IUosCE&t=71s Defending Democracy in Exile: Policy Responses to Transnational Repression] by Freedom House


What is Transnational Repression? It is governments reaching across borders to silence dissent among diasporas and exiles, including through assassinations, illegal deportations, abductions, digital threats, Interpol abuse, and family intimidation. It is a daily assault on civilians everywhere — including in democracies like the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany, Australia, and South Africa.
== Reports ==


Critical voices that challenge authoritarian rule become voices to silence. Journalists and human rights defenders. Diaspora groups and family members of exiles. Political activists, dissidents and civil society leaders.
=== Research Database on Transnational Repression (TNR) ===
https://tnr-research.uwazi.io/en/


What appear to be isolated incidents when viewed separately—an assassination here, a kidnapping there—in fact form a constant threat across the world that is affecting the lives of millions of people and changing how activists, journalists, and regular individuals go about their lives. Transnational repression is no longer an exceptional tool, but a normal and institutionalized practice for dozens of countries that seek to control their citizens abroad.
This collection of research reports can help human rights defenders better understand:


Its impact on the rights of victims is severe. Even those who are not directly targeted may decide based on the threat against their community to remain silent. This is true of the most extreme violence: a single killing or rendition sends ripples throughout a huge circle of people. But even digital threats or family intimidation—the easiest and most common forms of transnational repression—create an atmosphere of fear among exiles that pervades everyday activities.
* Which TNR threats are likely or possible based on the existing evidence, to determine appropriate mitigation techniques
* Which TNR threats are unlikely, in order to alleviate fear
* What exiled HRDs can expect from a host country in terms of protection measures
* Existing campaigns to strengthen protection for exiled HRDs


https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=86Q_9IUosCE&t=71s [video]
This database was developed and curated by the Center for Victims of Torture. To contribute to this research, email research@freedomhouse.org
https://freedomhouse.org/report/transnational-repression [overview and report]


Reports in this database include:


'''The silencing effect of digital transnational repression''', report by HIVOS
* Defending Democracy in Exile: Policy Responses to Transnational Repression, report by Freedom House
* Silencing Across Borders: Transnational Repression and Digital Threats Against Exiled Activists, report by Marcus Michaelsen
* Psychological and Emotional War: Digital Transnational Repression in Canada, report by Citizen Lab
* Going after the family: Transnational repression and the proxy punishment of Middle Eastern diasporas, article co-authored with Dana M. Moss & Gillian Kennedy.


Marcus Michaelsen’s report examines the online efforts of authoritarian regimes to intimidate activists living abroad. Hivos is proud to have acted as a host organization for the one-year research project leading to the publication of this report.
== Books ==


Authoritarian regimes have long used a variety of repressive tools to control, silence, and punish dissidents living abroad. Yet the advent of the Internet – and its central role in activist communities – has changed the way these regimes intimidate those who dare speak out against them. Today, subtle but pervasive forms of online transnational repression are increasingly common. Activists living outside their homeland now face digital surveillance, threats, and smear campaigns designed to stifle their opposition and induce self-censorship.


https://hivos.org/the-silencing-effect-of-digital-transnational-repression/ [overview and report]
'''The Arab Spring Abroad: Diaspora Activism against Authoritarian Regimes''', book by Dana Moss. You can download this book for free here: https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/arab-spring-abroad/D7EC15ED46D37A2DB8CDDB83F06CC591#overview


== TNR threat categories ==


'''Psychological and Emotional War: Digital Transnational Repression in Canada''', report by The Citizen Lab
* Unlawful deportation, extradition, rendition, Interpol abuse, legal cases
** Examples: trial in absentia, initiate a criminal case in order to carry out deportation or extradition
*Physical intimidation, assault, etc
* Coercion by proxy / Threats against in-country relatives
** Examples: Opponent may harass, threaten, prosecute, and imprison family or colleagues
*Account and device hacking
** Examples: Opponents hack social media or email accounts
* Monitoring and surveillance
** Examples: Tracking and identifying HRDs, monitor family members’ conversations so they can access communications, infiltration of network through informants,  surveil/monitor communication to ascertain location and activities
* Slander, harassment, disinformation campaigns
** Examples: Smear campaigns, hate speech and harassment in social media


In this report, we describe how Canadian activists and dissidents living in exile in Canada are impacted by digital transnational repression. We conclude that digital transnational repression has a serious impact on these communities, including their ability to undertake transnational advocacy work related to human rights.
== TNR mitigation techniques ==
{| class="wikitable"
|+
!Threat category
!Mitigation techniques
!Resources and research
|-
|Unlawful deportation, extradition, rendition, Interpol abuse, legal cases
|
|
|-
|Physical intimidation, assault, etc
|Personal safety awareness (see Umbrella app)
|
|-
|Coercion by proxy / Threats against in-country relatives
|
|[https://tnr-research.uwazi.io/en/entity/s0hrhs72n7n Going after the family: Transnational repression and the proxy punishment of Middle Eastern diasporas] (Moss, Michaelsen, Kennedy (2022))
|-
|Account and device hacking
|
* [[Protect your accounts using strong passwords, pw managers, 2fa|Use two factor authentication for all accounts]]
* [[Protect your accounts using strong passwords, pw managers, 2fa|Use unique, complex passwords for all accounts]]
* [[Protect your accounts using strong passwords, pw managers, 2fa|Use a password manager to create, store and protect those passwords]]
* [[Protect your website|Protect your website from DDOS attacks]]
* [[Trusted hosting companies in the human rights community|Use a host company that you trust]]
|
|-
|Monitoring and surveillance
|
* [[Safe internet browsing using VPN and Tor browser|Use a VPN and/or Tor browser]]
* [[Use a secure messaging app]]
* [[How to collect and store information in a secure way]]


https://citizenlab.ca/2022/03/psychological-emotional-war-digital-transnational-repression-canada/ [video, overview and report]  
* [[Protect your accounts using strong passwords, pw managers, 2fa#Be aware of spear phishing attacks|Protect yourselves against (spear) phishing attacks]]
 
* Use a second device for sensitive activities
 
* [[How to mitigate your risk of being subject to Pegasus surveillance|Restart your device regularly to disrupt spyware]]
'''Responding to Transnational Repression''' [video] - recorded panel discussion from Dec 2021 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3D4EjMq5FK4
* [[Secure your devices|Use anti virus]]
 
* [[How to mitigate your risk of being subject to Pegasus surveillance]], and other spyware
 
|
'''Going after the family: Transnational repression and the proxy punishment of Middle Eastern diasporas''', article co-authored with Dana M. Moss & Gillian Kennedy. Available here (https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/glob.12372) via institutions or for purchase
|-
 
|Slander, harassment, disinformation campaigns
 
|[[How to deal with online harassment and threats]]
'''The Arab Spring Abroad: Diaspora Activism against Authoritarian Regimes''', book by Dana Moss
|
You can download this book for free here: https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/arab-spring-abroad/D7EC15ED46D37A2DB8CDDB83F06CC591#overview
|}
 
 
'''Transnational Repression: The Long Arm of Authoritarianism''' (parts 1 and 2) - recorded panel discussion from Sept/Oct 2022. Watch the videos here https://www.orionpolicy.org/orionforum/111/transnational-repression-the-long-arm-of-authoritarianism
 
 
'''Resisting Digital Authoritarianism''' - a recorded panel discussion from the Resistance Bureau. This show will therefore bring together thought leaders, digital activists, and those who have been spied on themselves to discuss these threats to freedom and how they can be effectively countered. What can be done to push back against the expansion of digital surveillance? And how can we protect citizens’ basic human rights from governments that are clearly determined to hack into their lives and monitor their every move? 
Watch the video here https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xg3CQXEe7K0

Latest revision as of 20:45, 17 December 2024

Videos

Reports

Research Database on Transnational Repression (TNR)

https://tnr-research.uwazi.io/en/

This collection of research reports can help human rights defenders better understand:

  • Which TNR threats are likely or possible based on the existing evidence, to determine appropriate mitigation techniques
  • Which TNR threats are unlikely, in order to alleviate fear
  • What exiled HRDs can expect from a host country in terms of protection measures
  • Existing campaigns to strengthen protection for exiled HRDs

This database was developed and curated by the Center for Victims of Torture. To contribute to this research, email [email protected]

Reports in this database include:

  • Defending Democracy in Exile: Policy Responses to Transnational Repression, report by Freedom House
  • Silencing Across Borders: Transnational Repression and Digital Threats Against Exiled Activists, report by Marcus Michaelsen
  • Psychological and Emotional War: Digital Transnational Repression in Canada, report by Citizen Lab
  • Going after the family: Transnational repression and the proxy punishment of Middle Eastern diasporas, article co-authored with Dana M. Moss & Gillian Kennedy.

Books

The Arab Spring Abroad: Diaspora Activism against Authoritarian Regimes, book by Dana Moss. You can download this book for free here: https://www.cambridge.org/core/books/arab-spring-abroad/D7EC15ED46D37A2DB8CDDB83F06CC591#overview

TNR threat categories

  • Unlawful deportation, extradition, rendition, Interpol abuse, legal cases
    • Examples: trial in absentia, initiate a criminal case in order to carry out deportation or extradition
  • Physical intimidation, assault, etc
  • Coercion by proxy / Threats against in-country relatives
    • Examples: Opponent may harass, threaten, prosecute, and imprison family or colleagues
  • Account and device hacking
    • Examples: Opponents hack social media or email accounts
  • Monitoring and surveillance
    • Examples: Tracking and identifying HRDs, monitor family members’ conversations so they can access communications, infiltration of network through informants, surveil/monitor communication to ascertain location and activities
  • Slander, harassment, disinformation campaigns
    • Examples: Smear campaigns, hate speech and harassment in social media

TNR mitigation techniques

Threat category Mitigation techniques Resources and research
Unlawful deportation, extradition, rendition, Interpol abuse, legal cases
Physical intimidation, assault, etc Personal safety awareness (see Umbrella app)
Coercion by proxy / Threats against in-country relatives Going after the family: Transnational repression and the proxy punishment of Middle Eastern diasporas (Moss, Michaelsen, Kennedy (2022))
Account and device hacking
Monitoring and surveillance
Slander, harassment, disinformation campaigns How to deal with online harassment and threats
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